LOCAL runners featured prominently at the Ceres Highland Games in Fife last Saturday - the oldest free games in Scotland.

There was some keen competition in the running events, with the top prize of the day going to the victor in the Open 90 metres Handicap. This went to Borderer Tommy Finkle, of Jedburgh, who won both his heat and cross-tie before powering to victory in the six runner final.

The 1989 New Year Sprint winner recorded a time of 9.94 seconds in holding off the challenge of Fife duo, recent Markinch Games sprint winner Kevin Eddie (Kelty) and 2012 New Year Sprint champion Graeme Lister (Kirkcaldy).

Lee Goodfellow (TLJT) showed good form to win a very competitive Open 200 metres Handicap, the current World Haggis eating champion broke the tape in 22.87 seconds with Ian Douglas, Selkirk runner up and Ross Friel, Glenrothes third.

Graeme Gibson (Dunfermline T & F Club) continued his good start to the season with another fine performance in winning the Open 800 metres Handicap, running from the 35 metre mark Gibson came through the field to snap the worsted in 1 minute 58.91 seconds, Willie Bates (Tullibody) and Jack Stanners (Selkirk) filled the minor berths.

Another athlete who has made an excellent start to the 2013 campaign is Dean Whiteford (Innerleithen) despite running from a reduced handicap for recent wins he still proved to be ahead of the handicapper by racing to victory in the Open 1600 metres Handicap where he held off the determined challenge of Coaltown of Balgonie veteran John Thomson to win in 4 minutes 22.64 seconds with Donald Bradley, Inverness in third.

There was further Border success in the Open 3000 metres Handicap with Wayne McIntosh, Kelso winning in 9 minutes 35.84 seconds with John Bates (Tullibody) and John McLean (Selkirk) second and third respectively.

In the Youth events there was a 90 metres and 200 metres double for Ryan Houten (Cardrona) in the 90m he came through from the backmark of 6 metres to pip female duo Eve Huxley (Innerleithen) and Anna Forsyth (Leithenburn) in 10.52 seconds.

Despite a 'pull' of 2 metres in the 200 metres, Houten still managed to charge through the field on the tight circuit to record a time of 24.66 seconds with Mozan Aziz runner up and Anna Forsyth again third.

The Borders got the better of Fife again in the Youths 800 metres Handicap with Ruaridh Britton (Leithenburn) turning in a fine performance to hold off the challenge of Pitreavie AC's Tyler White in a winning time of 2 minutes 10.97 seconds, Michael Smith, also of Leithenburn, took third place.

As usual at Ceres, the cyclists thrilled the crowds as they sped round the tight 200 metres circuit.

The opening 800 metres handicap was won by Steve Jackson, Glasgow, James Melville, Dumbarton, took the 1600 metres with Gus Gillies (Peebles) the victor in the 3000 metres.